This winter I had the wonderful opportunity to visit many schools in the Pacific Northwest. There is nothing better for an author than to meet the readers of her books. These students were so engage and thoughtful and really care about our world today. They sang My Country Tis of Thee verse, pretended to turn into a wild animal in Alaska, and debated about a woman’s right to vote. We also talked about life in the Northland during the gold rush, how the children went to a one-room schoolhouse and panned for gold during recess. I loved very minute of it. That’s me wearing my old time suffrage/gold rush hat.

If you are a teacher, and you’re using my books in the classroom, I invite you to download lesson guides and other materials in the Resources section of my website.

I enjoy presenting to students, teachers, librarians, parents, and writers of any age and look forward to the possibility of visiting your school, library, or conference sometime soon. Since my books cover a wide range of reading levels, I can tailor my presentations to the interests of students, grades K-12. I also enjoy giving workshops for teachers, librarians, parents, and college students. Additional school visit information packet is available upon request.

“Collaboration with writers of any age can be very powerful. What we professional writers do is what student writers can do, too – discover our voices, write about what we care about, share our writing, and work on revision.”

I am delighted with the cover of my newest book coming out with Chicago Review Press this September.

Martin and Bobby, a nonfiction book for readers ten and up, follows the lives and final days and words of Martin Luther King, Jr., and Robert Kennedy, showing how by 1968 both leaders had become allies fighting poverty, racism, and an end to the Vietnam War.

Historic photos help tell the story. King’s courage showed Bobby how to act on one’s moral principles, and Bobby’s growing awareness of the country’s racial and economic divide gave King hope that the nation’s leaders could truly support justice.

Fifty years later, the lives and words of Kennedy and King still offer Americans inspiration and insight on how our country can face the historic challenges of economic and racial inequality.

A teenager in the 1960s, I have vivid memories of both leaders. Researching and writing this book has also been a personal journey, and I look forward to sharing my book and research during the fiftieth anniversary of their tragic deaths.

Over the summer, I took my latest book on tour to schools and libraries and the feedback from teachers and parents has been overwhelmingly positive. My Country Tis of Thee: How One Song Tells the Story of Civil Rights in America brings together music, history and writing for a cross-disciplinary lesson in civil rights.

“This examination of a well-known piece of music and the activism it inspired makes for a fascinating way to explore history.” – Kirkus Reviews

“An intriguing new take on a beloved patriotic song.” – Booklist

“Murphy revisits pivotal moments – social, political, martial, in which the familiar song was co-opted and re-lyricized as a partisan theme song . . . Will indeed be helpful in connecting readers to songs and recordings.” – BCCB

“So expertly woven together it’ll make your eyes spin, Murphy brings us a meticulously researched, brilliant work of nonfiction elegance. Want to know how to write a picture book work of factual fascinating information for kids? Behold the blueprint right before your eyes.” – Elizabeth Bird, School Library Journal

I received an exciting new submission from Project PUT: Pick Up Trash, a blog started by Eloise and her mom Emily. They saw their community in Vermont covered with litter and decided to take action by picking up trash together. Together they wrote new lyrics and created a theme song for Project PUT. Eloise and Project PUT received a poster in the mail for this winning submission:

A new lyrics contest will take place from September 1st to October 30th, 2014 with winners announced November 1st. Classrooms and choirs are invited to write new lyrics to the tune of My Country ‘Tis of Thee. See the contest guidelines page for more details.

I read the text accompanied by recordings of the historic new verses by the Eastern Washington University Mixed Choir and the Spokane Area Youth Choirs directed by Kristina Ploeger. Afterwards the crowd sang new lyrics submitted by local students.

One 6th grade student from Madison Elementary, along with her teacher Patty Driscoll and music teacher Dori Nielson, joined me up front when we introduced two new verses her class wrote: My country ‘tis of thee Let us be bully-free No teasing found. We are not all the same Stop causing all their pain Differences are not to blame Freedom all around.

My country ‘tis of thee So sad the poverty Homeless abound. God keep them in your sight Help us relieve their plight Shelter them for the night. New hope is found.

We also sang new lyrics written by other elementary students in Spokane. You can read those lyrics on the student submissions’ page and notice that some common themes appear. Today’s students are interested in fighting poverty and protecting the environment, as well as raising awareness about the problem of bullying in schools.

I would love to see new lyrics submitted by students, classrooms, and by you!

Submit a new verse to the My Country ‘Tis of Thee Music Project by using the submissions page. The fall contest will run September 1st – October 30th with books and posters of Aretha Franklin awarded to the best submitted verses.

Thanks to all who attended and sang along. The launch party was a smashing success. Check out the article on the book featured in the Spokesman-Review.